Connecter for neon tubes



Dec. 19, 1933. c. U. PAGE CONNECTER FOR NEON TUBES Filed March 17, 1950Patented Dec. 19, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved connecterfor mechanically .ing the ends of the sections of neon tubeselectrically connecting the electrodes therei; ci, to afford a strong,secure and neat joint which will not detract from the normal operationor appearance of the tube.

The invention is also adapted for use in connecting the end tube of aneon light with the porcelain attaching plug.

A practical embodiment lof the invention is hereinafter described and isshown in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure l is a side view of a neon tube sign provided with the present'improvements;

2 is a similar view of a. neon tube border lor a sign, equipped with thepresent connecters; 3 is a detail longitudinal section through theconnecter and the ends of the tubes, certain parte being in full lines;Fig. 4 is a similar view of an elbow connection having a porcelain plug;

liig. 5 is a detail view of the spring, the ter-l minal discs being insection;

Fig. 6 is a face View of one of the terminal discs; and

Fig. l is a cross section therethrough.

The sections of a neon light tube areshown at l., the porcelainconnecter screw threaded plu for the attachment of the tube to theelectric soclret appearing at 2.

The improved connecter constituting the present invention is shown,generally, at 3.

i l illustrates the use of the-connecter on a neon tube constituting asign.

2 illustrates the use of the connecter on a neon tube constituting aborder for a connecter constituting the present invenn an outer glasstube 3, whose ends rec the ends of the neon tubes 1. 'I'he neon tubes orsections are provided with the usual electrodes or terminals 4.

Contained within the connecter tube 3 is an expansible coil spring 5whose ends are connected by welding or soldering to terminal discs orplates 7 which are of concavo-convex and are adapted to bear against theends of the electrodes 4, as shown in Fig. 3.

The improved connecter spring structure is shown in Fig. 5.

To retain the spring 5 within the connecter tube 3, there is provided asuitable cross pin or connection such as a cotter pin 8 which extends e5through holes in the side of the tube 3 and is engaged with the spring 5in any suitable manner.

The connecter is shown in its straight form in Figs. 1, 2 and 3,

In Fig. 4, there is shown a form of the connecter where an elbow-shapeis necessary as, for instance, where the neon tube is connected to theelectric socket. In this form of the invention, the spring 5 is aspreviously described, be- 75 ing contained within the tube 3 andcarrying the plates or discs 7 at its ends, to the outer one of which isattached the terminal or contact 9 which extends through the screwthreaded porcelain plug 2.

The connecter constitutes a constantly tight or secure electricalconnecter or wiring between the electrodes 4 of the connected tubes orbetween a terminal tube and the attaching screw plug, and the tube 3also mechanically connects 85 the neon tube sections.

What I claim is:

A combined mechanical and electrical connecter for neon tubes comprisingan outer tube adapted to telescope with and positively connect theadjoining terminal ends of the neon tube sections, and an expansiblecoil spring conductor contained within the connecter tube and engagedwith the neon tube terminals, and a crossfastening carried by theconnecter tube which engages and positively holds the coil springconductor inside of said connecter tube.

CHARLES ULMONT PAGE.

